Father delivers son, Noa, at home

January 26, 2004|By Michael Jones, Staff Writer

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ELMIRA TWP. - Noa Michael Johnson came into this world Tuesday morning in an apparent hurry.

He didn't even give his parents, Samantha and Josh Johnson, time enough to get out the door of their Elmira Township home, let alone drive to the hospital - in this case Northern Michigan Hospital (NMH) in Petoskey - more than 30 miles away.

In less time than it takes to wait for a pizza delivery, Samantha delivered baby Noa at the couple's home in record time - 15 minutes, give or take a minute. Seriously. Noa's due date wasn't until Feb. 19, so even his arrival on Tuesday was a bit unexpected.

While most people would be in disbelief of such an incredibly short labor, it wasn't something entirely unexpected for Samantha and Josh.

With the couple's first child, Dakota, who is almost 3 years old, Samantha "breezed" through a seven-hour labor - plenty of time to get to the hospital. Their second child, Emma, 10 months old, was born after only a three-hour labor - still enough time to make the trip to the hospital, but starting to cut it a little close.

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With Noa, though, there really was no question of where he was going to be born once Samantha had her first contraction shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday. "Right after that I called Josh at work and by the time he got home 10 minutes later, my water had broke," she said.

Josh, who works in the family business, Johnson Oil and Propane, said he called the nurses at NMH, where 22-year-old Samantha happened to have been scheduled for a checkup that day, to tell them they were on their way to the hospital.

A few minutes later he called back and said things were progressing so quickly they were going to drive to Otsego Memorial Hospital instead - a drive of only five miles. "The head was starting to crown and we knew we didn't have time to get anywhere and Josh called 911," Samantha said of their rapidly changing birth plans.

Josh called 911 and spoke to Otsego County dispatcher Chris Martin. "I told him we were at home and the head was showing and then, just like that, I saw an arm and then he slipped right out," Josh said Thursday, a sound of incredulity in his 26-year-old voice as he recalled the events of his son's birth. Noa was born at 10:35 a.m.

With his oldest son, Dakota, in the background asking his father what was going on and asking if the baby had "fallen out yet," Josh, with the cool, calm guidance of Martin, brought Noa into this world a bit earlier and faster than anyone had anticipated.

Otsego County 911 Director Jay Gliwa said Martin, although scoffing at the idea he did anything "special," had done an excellent job. "He was able to calm the father down so he could follow directions," Gliwa said of his dispatcher. "We're glad to have another citizen in Otsego County."

Martin downplayed his role in the birth of little Noa, giving credit, instead, to the Johnsons. "I think the dad did a fantastic job. It's something that doesn't happen every day. It keeps the job interesting though."

In the six years Martin has been a dispatcher in Otsego County, this was only the third home delivery he had handled via the phone.

Partial 911 Transcript of Call for Help to Deliver Baby

Samantha and Josh Johnson had conventional plans for the birth of their third child - at a hospital - in this case Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey - with doctors and nurses present.

As things turned out, a trip to the hospital was out of the question. Samantha's labor lasted only 15 minutes and their son, Noa, was born at home, with dad in the role of a very nervous doctor.

The following is an abbreviated transcription of the 911 call Otsego County dispatcher Chris Martin had with Josh Johnson. Martin kept Johnson on the phone for seven minutes until the Otsego County EMS/Rescue and Elmira Township Fire Department arrived to relieve Johnson.

JOHNSON: My wife's having a baby right now … The baby's head is showing.

MARTIN: Do you know how to deliver a baby?

JOHNSON: I have no idea … His arm is out … Now he's out. (Total time elapsed from the beginning of the call to the actual birth: approximately one minute).

Martin then walked Johnson through the steps following the birth of his son Noa Michael Johnson.

MARTIN: It's a boy? Congratulations.

JOHNSON: Oh my Lord … His eyes are open. (Sound of baby crying).

MARTIN: Keep the cord on for now … Wrap him up in a nice clean towel.

JOHNSON: This is the weirdest thing I've ever had happen to me.

MARTIN: Don't tie it (umbilical cord) yet. Wait until I tell you. How is the mother doing? (Martin instructed Johnson on how to tie off the umbilical cord) … Don't pull the afterbirth.

JOHNSON: I'm not pulling nothing.

MARTIN: Keep the mother covered up. Keep her warm … You've got a lot of things going on. Just take your time, you're doing fine … (Sound of baby crying). Sounds like he's got a good set of lungs.

JOHNSON: I'm surprised I didn't pass out.

MARTIN: You're doing fine.

JOHNSON: Wow.

MARTIN: The biggest concern right now is mom and her baby … They're there now? (emergency personnel arrive). Take good care of your son now.